“Perilous Times” in the World Today and Our Blessed Hope!

“Perilous Times” in the World Today and Our Blessed Hope!

by | Feb 25, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

As believers, we know that we are living in the last days. And the Bible warns us that in the last days, perilous times will come, AND THEY’RE HERE. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul gives a description of the state of the world and what it will look like before the rapture of the church, and this is exactly the description of the world in which we are living today.

 

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:

“But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

 

We see these traits in the world around us today, and it can be discouraging. Unfortunately, the world will only continue to get worse and worse because of evil men and imposters will be deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). But Paul encourages us in Titus 2:12-13 to live differently, as we wait for the Lord to come for His church which is His body, our blessed hope:

 

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

 

As believers, we must hold fast to our faith and not be discouraged by the state of the world. Instead, we must continue to live godly lives, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and hold onto the blessed hope of Christ’s return. Let us continue to pray for the world around us and share the gospel of salvation with those who do not yet know Him.

 

From Darkness to Light – the Power of the Gospel

From Darkness to Light – the Power of the Gospel

by | Feb 24, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ‘

Ephesians 5:8-9

 

As believers, we were once in darkness, but we have been made children of light by the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). We have been delivered from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of His Son (Colossians 1:13), where we have redemption and forgiveness of sins because of His shed blood (Colossians 1:20).

 

In this new life, we are called to walk as children of light, pleasing God in all things and bearing fruit in every good work. This transformation is possible only through faith in Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross. Through His sacrifice on the cross, we have been reconciled to God and made new creations in Christ.

 

We are now called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and to continually renew our minds with the truth of God’s Word (studying the Bible, meditating on His word). As we do, we will be transformed from the inside out and will walk in the light in this dark world. Let us, therefore, put off the old self and put on the new, walking in love, righteousness, and holiness, so that the world may see the light of Christ shining through us and come to know Him.

 

Peace with God through the Shed Blood of Christ

Peace with God through the Shed Blood of Christ

by | Feb 24, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.’

Colossians 1:20

Christians have peace with God because Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross. Without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness of sin.

 

The world often thinks of peace as the absence of war or conflict between human beings. But in Colossians 1:20, Paul tells us that the only peace that matters is the peace between God and sinful mankind, a relationship that can only be achieved through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross (believing the gospel).

 

Hebrews 9:22 confirms the absolute necessity of the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins. In Romans 5:1a, Paul tells us that we who believe in Christ have already been justified by faith and have peace with God, and the enmity. This peace is made possible by the blood of Christ and the grace of God, which is freely given to us through faith.

 

The world is not (Romans 8:7; James 4:4) at peace with God, but those who believe in Christ have been reconciled to Him. Through faith, we have access to the throne room of God. We no longer have to be in spiritual warfare against Him, but can enjoy a relationship of love and peace.

 

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that we can experience the peace of God in our daily lives by bringing our requests to Him in prayer with thanksgiving. This peace surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

As believers, we have the privilege of experiencing the peace of God through the blood of the cross. We have been reconciled to Him, because of our faith alone in the gospel alone and can now live in harmony with Him. Let us give thanks to God for the gift of His grace and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

Devotional:

Take some time to reflect on the peace that comes through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His grace and mercy in reconciling us to Himself. Ask God to help you experience His peace in your daily life and to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

 

 

Finding Strength in God – He Gives Power to the Weak

Finding Strength in God – He Gives Power to the Weak

by | Feb 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

God gives power to the weak, & to those who have no might, He increases strength. Through God’s grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have power from on high. We already have this the moment we believed the gospel. But we must stay in His word, study the Bible, and pray to maintain our strength in the Lord.

 

Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength.” When we feel weak and powerless, we can turn to God for strength. He is the source of all power and can give us the strength we need to face any challenge.

 

In Philippians 4:13, Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse reminds us that our strength comes from Christ, and we can do all things with His help through the Holy Spirit that indwells us. We do not have to rely on our own strength, which will always fail us, but instead, we can turn to Christ and receive His strength.

 

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes about his own weaknesses and how he turned to God for strength. He says, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Paul recognized that his weakness was an opportunity for God to show His strength. When we acknowledge our own weakness, we can turn to God and trust that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

 

Isaiah 40:29 also reminds us that God gives power to the weak. When we feel like we have no strength, we can turn to God and trust that He will give us the power we need. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul writes, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” God often uses the weak and powerless to accomplish His purposes. When we feel like we have nothing to offer, we can trust that God can use us for His glory.

 

In conclusion, Isaiah 40:29 reminds us that we can find strength in God. We do not have to rely on our own strength, which will fail us. Instead, we can turn to Christ and trust that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We can be confident that God will give us the power we need to face any challenge.

 

Bible Study:

  1. How have you experienced God’s strength in your life?
  2. When you feel weak and powerless, what do you typically do to find strength?
  3. How can you apply the lessons from Isaiah 40:29 and Paul’s letters to your life?

 

 

 

 

The Prophetic Timeline – A Progressive Revelation

The Prophetic Timeline – A Progressive Revelation

by | Feb 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement

The Bible is a Progressive Revelation

Understanding the Bible can be a daunting task, but it all begins with acknowledging God’s sovereignty. It’s important to trust that God means what He says and to allow Him to be Who He is. Unfortunately, man-made traditions and theology can cause confusion and division, especially when mixing law and grace, Israel and the Body of Christ, or the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of grace.

The Bible is a progressive revelation, and it’s important to understand that God’s plan of salvation wasn’t revealed all at once to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Daniel, or the apostle Peter. While God remains the same and unchanging, the instructions He gave throughout Biblical history for salvation and doctrine have evolved significantly.

To aid your study of the Bible, we highly recommend using our Bible timeline. By understanding the time element of events, you can gain greater insight and clarity into God’s plan of salvation and the teachings of the Bible. Remember, the Bible is a progressive revelation, so maintain a literal approach and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment as you dive deeper into the Word of God.

You can download a pdf of our Bible Timeline here.

The bible is a progressive revelation

The Beginning

Genesis 1 – Genesis 11
2000-year time period
View Timeline #’s 1 – 7

For the first 2000 years of human history, God dealt directly with all of mankind, and everyone spoke one language (Genesis 11:1). During this time, there was no law or instructions for worshiping God, and it was based on man’s conscience and what God had instructed Adam and Eve, Cain, and Abel. When a person committed a sin, they were to bring God a blood sacrifice by faith, and it would be their faith in what God told them to do that would save them, just like faith alone in the cross saves us today.

 

The Call of Abraham: God Creates a People for Himself

Genesis 12:1-3 Date: 2000 B.C. – 37 AD
View Timeline #8

God then chose just one man, Abraham, out of millions to start a new race of people for himself, the Israelites, the nation of Israel, and the Jewish people (Deuteronomy 7:6-9; 32:8-9). God would deal directly with the Jews for the next 2000 years, with only a few (nine) exceptions. This division between Jews and Gentiles left the Gentile world without hope and no access to Israel’s God (Ephesians 2:11–12).

 

The Lord’s Earthly Ministry: Israel’s Promised Messiah is Preaching the gospel of the kingdom

Three Years: 26 – 27 to 29 – 30 AD
View Timeline #’s 13, 14, 15

Many believe that Christianity begins with the first chapter of Matthew, but this is not the case. This period is a continuation of God’s dealings with Israel and is based on the Old Testament covenants and promises. Christ appeared, as foretold by the angel in Luke 1, to fulfill the promise made to the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:1–3), which were promises made to Israel, not the Gentile world.

 

The Crucifixion: The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

29-30 AD
View Timeline #14
Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 20:18-19; Luke 24:6-7; Acts 2:23

Understanding that God’s work for us is based on the finished work of the cross is crucial to everything we do as believers. The Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the culmination of all that God does. There had to be the shedding of blood because that’s the way God wanted it (without the shedding of blood there can be no remission; Hebrews 9:22) and it could only be the divine blood of His only Son, Jesus Christ, that could pay the sin debt of ALL mankind. God knew what had to be done to reconcile fallen man back to Himself, and that was through the sacrificial death of Himself on our behalf. Amen and all the glory to God.

 

The Call of Paul: God’s Apostle to Gentiles & the Gospel of Grace

37 – 64/65 AD
Acts 9:15; Act 20:24; Ephesians 3:1-11
View Timeline #’s 19, 20

Following Stephen’s stoning in Acts 8, God made another change by calling Saul, now known as the apostle Paul, as God’s chosen apostle for the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Acts 20:24; Galatians 1:11–12). The ascended and glorified Lord Jesus would reveal to Paul a new message of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles apart from the Mosaic Law and temple worship. God’s grace has been pouring out on all of mankind for the last 1900 years or more. The only way to salvation is by faith alone in the finished work of the cross alone, which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

 

The Rapture: The Church Meets the Lord in the Clouds

1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7
View Timeline #22

Next on God’s prophetic timeline is the rapture of the church, which is his body, the body of Christ. Once the last Gentile is saved and in the body of Christ, the trumpet will sound, and all who have died in Christ will be raised first, immediately followed by those in the body of Christ who are alive, to meet the Lord in the clouds in our glorious immortal bodies and be with the Lord forever.

 

The Seven Years of Jacob’s Trouble

First seal Revelation 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:8,9; Daniel 9:27
View Timeline #23

After the body of Christ is removed from the earth and in glory with the Lord, God will again turn his attention back to his chosen people and bring to a culmination the full 490 years prophesied by Daniel in chapter 9. This period is known as “The Seven Years of Jacob’s Trouble.”

 

The Millennial Kingdom: A Thousand Years with Jesus, Satan’s Release and the Battle of Armageddon

Revelation 20:1-10
View Timeline #24

The Millennial Kingdom is a 1000-year period in which Jesus will reign on earth as King of kings from Jerusalem on David’s throne. Israel will be the top nation among all nations. Fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant, Jesus made Himself with Abraham in Genesis 12. During this time, Satan will be bound and unable to deceive the nations. But at the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be set free and will lead one last rebellion against God. This rebellion will end in the Battle of Armageddon, where the Lord Jesus, the King of kings, will destroy and crush Satan’s armies. Satan will be tossed into the lake of fire where the antichrist and the false prophet have been for 1000 years.

 

The Great White Throne Judgment

Revelation 20:11-15
View Timeline #26

Following the Battle of Armageddon, the Great White Throne Judgment will take place, in which all the unsaved will be resurrected bodily from hell and face their Creator, the Righteous Judge (Romans 2:16), the Lord Jesus, and will be judged according to their works. Those whose names are not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire.

 

Eternity with God

View Timeline #27

The word of God explains eternity best. Those who believe in Jesus Christ will spend eternity with Him in a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

‘For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.’

I Thessalonians 4:14-18

‘Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’

Revelation 21:1-3

‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”’

Revelation 21:4

‘Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”’

Revelation 21:5

 

‘And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ‘

Revelation 21:6

 

 

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